Lexington, Mass. (June 15, 2009) – The National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI) named Ginger Software, Inc., one of five award recipients in the 2009 Technology in the Works competition. The award program recognizes excellence in research proposals for short-term, quasi-experimental evaluations that analyze the impact of learning and assistive technologies, i.e., tools that strengthen capabilities and increase access for individuals with disabilities. Ginger Software offers an easy-to-use online tool designed for struggling writers of all ages, which uses patent-pending technology to correct spelling mistakes and misused words automatically.

The Technology in the Works competition calls for “quick turnaround” collaborative research efforts that inform the development of innovative and emerging assistive technologies. Ginger Software will study the efficacy of commercial spellcheckers for individuals with learning disabilities. Research will be conducted in partnership with the Frostig Center, a non-profit organization that specializes in working with children who have learning disabilities. The Frostig Center houses an internationally recognized research department whose findings are widely published in leading professional journals.

“This year’s winners represent an exciting cross section of breakthrough technologies that advance the learning and assistive technology field,” said Tracy Gray, Director of the National Center for Technology Innovation at the American Institutes for Research. “We look forward to the knowledge these studies will bring to the field, and to the greater opportunities for students with disabilities that will result.”

Unlike spell checkers that require users to address each error, Ginger Software corrects multiple mistakes within a sentence simultaneously, providing a faster, more efficient way to work. Ginger Software also provides carefully selected alternatives for all corrections, each paired with a sample expression so the user can consider the differences and make an informed choice. Moreover, Ginger Software analyzes the context of each sentence to remedy mistakes that other spell checkers often miss, including correctly spelled words that are used improperly.

“Our mission is to enable people with learning difficulties to write error-free text independently in a positive, encouraging environment,” said Yael Karov, founder and CEO of Ginger Software. “We’re excited to collaborate with the Frostig Center over the next six-months, to conduct research that will be helpful for individuals with learning difficulties.”

As a condition of receiving the $15,000 award, Ginger Software will contribute matching funds to support research that examines the effectiveness of innovative software and technologies for students with special needs. For more information, visit www.NationalTechCenter.org.

More Information

To learn more about the company, or to download the free beta version of Ginger Software, visit www.gingersoftware.com.

About the National Center for Technology Innovation

The National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI) (www.NationalTechCenter.org), established in 2001, advances learning opportunities for all students, with a special focus on individuals with disabilities, by fostering technology innovation. NCTI offers technical guidance to facilitate growth and sustainability of learning and assistive tools. The Center is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S. Department of Education and is located at the American Institutes for Research in Washington, DC.

About Ginger Software

Ginger Software develops technology that empowers struggling writers by enhancing their ability to write error-free texts independently. The company offers automatic text correction through a downloadable software program that corrects errors of spelling, vocabulary use and grammar based on the context of each sentence. Founded in 2007, Ginger Software is a global company with offices in Israel, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Contacts

Ginger Software
Miki Feldman-Simon
617-755-0160
mikif at gingersoftware dot com
www.gingersoftware.com

C. Blohm & Associates, Inc.
Emily Embury
608-839-9800
emily at cblohm dot com
www.cblohm.com

Printer Friendly

Download Release (188 KB)

Images

Click to view at full size, then right-click to download.